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Oxygen transfer and mycelial growth in a tubular loop fermentor
Author(s) -
Ziegler H.,
Dunn I. J.,
Bourne J. R.
Publication year - 1980
Publication title -
biotechnology and bioengineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.136
H-Index - 189
eISSN - 1097-0290
pISSN - 0006-3592
DOI - 10.1002/bit.260220807
Subject(s) - fermentation , aeration , mycelium , bioreactor , industrial fermentation , airlift , chemistry , continuous stirred tank reactor , oxygen , chromatography , biology , food science , botany , organic chemistry
A 22 m long. 20 liter tubular loop fermentor (TLF) has been tested for oxygen transfer characteristics and as a reactor for mycelial growth. Model calculations show that the flow pressure drop has an important influence on the axial oxygen profiles. A design model that accounts for this influence is presented. Using the model, K L a values are calculated from the results of sulfite oxidation experiments. These are correlated with power consumption and aeration rates. The K L a dependence on aeration rate was found to be less than found with tank reactors. The growth kinetics of three metabolite‐producing mycelial organisms in the TLF are presented: a Streptomyces , a Fusarium , and a Acrophialophora . In order to determine the influence of reactor type on the growth and product formation, these cultures have been grown in tanks and shake flasks. The antibiotic, product spectrum of Streptomyces is compared on the basis of inhibition tests and it is shown that the distribution of products is reactor dependent. The Fusarium culture produced a previously unknown metabolite, whose concentration in the loop fermentor was four times higher than in a shake flask. The Acrophialophora culture grew twice as fast in the loop fermentor, but produced essentially none of the specific product. Power Consumptions of up to 8 kW/m 3 in the tubular fermentor did not appear to harm the mycelia.